Lose Weight This Season With These Summer Foods

In a bid to change our sedentary lifestyle and get our bodies back in shape, we often turn to crash diets - a direct shift from binge eating and no exercise to a strict regime. However, a proper diet does not need to be the one sans carbohydrates or the things you love. Eating moderately and consuming the right things is key to a successful diet routine. Gorging on seasonal produce is the best way to go about it. So, if you are contemplating going on a diet this summer, here are five must-have foods that you should include in your plan.

• Watermelon: Loaded with Vitamin C and A and antioxidants, watermelon is superbly hydrating during the sweaty summer months and is a must-have this season if you are working out. Watermelon is a low-calorie fruit perfect for fitness freaks with water as its main ingredient. Refrigerate the watermelon, and then cut it into small chunks for a soothing relief during hot summer afternoons. It keeps you full and hydrated and treats heartburns and acidic issues.

• Bottle Gourd: If you are trying to lose weight, consider including a bottle gourd in your diet. While sweating it out may give results, having a bottle gourd is a sure shot way to help you shed off the extra calories. It is rich in Vitamin A and C, magnesium, calcium and folate and ensures a healthy heart and purified blood running in your system.

• Curd: A calcium-rich dairy product, curd can be consumed in various ways and is one of the things you should include in your diet. Whether you have it with food or low-sugar lassi, curd helps your acidic reflux keep in check and cools your whole system.

• Cucumber: This watery vegetable is an excellent add-on to any meal for those who have digestion issues or suffer from constipation. Have it as a salad along with other ingredients like carrots, lettuce and tomatoes or prepare delicious raita with onions, green chillies and cucumber that can be enjoyed with tomato rice or lemon rice for an apt combination.

• Lean Meats: Finally, meat lovers need not refrain from having meat during summer. Instead of gorging on red meat, rely more on fish and chicken as these are lean meats and can proffer your body with the necessary proteins while curbing your calories. Fish is rich in essential fatty acids and Omega 3 and is a great way to boost your protein intake.

Satarupa B Kaur has been writing professionally for a decade. Always on the go, she loves to travel, read books and enjoy playtime with her toddler as she explores new places and food.